Visiting Tromsø in winter is a bucket list experience for many. This magical Arctic getaway is perfect for snowy adventures, indulging in Scandinavian treats, and attempting to witness the Northern Lights. It’s a city break like no other.
I’ve travelled there twice so I can say with certainty that Tromsø in winter is well worth braving the plummeting temperatures! This guide includes recommendations from both trips so you can plan the most epic Tromsø itinerary. Discover the best excursions, winter activities in the city centre, and so much more.
Where Is Tromsø?
You might know that Tromsø is somewhere in the Arctic Circle, but that’s a bit vague! It also makes it seem much harder to reach than it is.
Tromsø (called Romsa in northern Sami culture) is in northern Norway. It stretches across two islands – Troms and Kval – just off the Norwegian mainland. Because it’s so far north, it’s close to the borders of Sweden and Finland.
Is Winter the Best Time to Visit Tromsø?
Yes, Tromsø in winter is an incredible time to visit! Snowy activities like dog sledding, warming up in cosy cafés, and the potential for seeing the Northern Lights make it a popular time to visit.
Winter in Tromsø (December – March) is also when you can experience the ‘Polar Night’. This is when the sun doesn’t rise for several weeks, usually from the end of November to mid-January. Don’t worry – it’s not pitch black! Tromsø’s sky often displays dusty hues of oranges, pinks and purples.
If an Arctic winter sounds a little hardcore, there’s still potential to see the Northern Lights in early April and November. There will be less snowfall and weather disruptions if you want to book a Norwegian fjord cruise.
Tromsø Winter Temperatures
- December Averages: 0°C to -5°C (31°F to 23°F)
- January Averages: -1°C to -6°C (29°F to 21°F)
- February Averages: -1°C to -6°C (29°F to 21°F)
- March Averages: 0°C to -5°C (31°F to 23°F)
Tromsø in December and January receives the most snowfall. However, February and March enjoy their fair share of snowy days too!
5 Things To Do in Tromsø City
Fjellheisen Cable Car
Don’t miss the epic views across Tromsø and the fjords from the Fjellheisen Cable Car! You’ll be able to see the epic Tromsø Bridge and many of the surrounding islands. It travels 421 metres above sea level up the Fjellheisen mountain in only four minutes.
Even better, the cable car runs from 9:00 AM to midnight daily. Catch the shuttle bus to the cable car from the Tromsø Tourist Shop between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
The Polar Museum
Learn about how people survived in northern Norway from the 17th century to today at the Polar Museum! See equipment used in famous polar expeditions and discover more about trapping and sealing.
This historical and cultural exhibition is located in the former customs house on the beautiful Tromsø harbour. Save this museum for when the snow is really coming down and you need to shelter for an hour or two. It’s open from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.
Arctic Cathedral
One of the best things to do in Tromsø in winter – or any season – has to be visiting the Arctic Cathedral. This 1960s building is built from concrete and aluminium. Its triangular structure is clean and modern but its soft grey facade allows it to blend into the landscape.
The stained glass window is incredible! It’s open from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM every day except Wednesdays when it opens at 2:00 PM.
Tromsø City Library
This ultra-modern building is only a 7-minute walk from the Polar Museum. It was built in 2005 and has received so many accolades, including Norway’s Best Public Library of the Year in 2009.
Visitors are free to walk around this space and check out the views across the city and mountains from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Its opening hours are 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Monday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday and 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM Saturday and Sunday.
Pust Floating Sauna
Have you always wanted to do an Arctic cold plunge? You can, right in Tromsø’s harbour! Pust Floating Sauna allows you to change and steam before jumping into the freezing cold sea (before fleeing to the sauna again!). It’s such a quintessentially Nordic experience and you get much more credibility for diving into Arctic waters.
Pust Sauna is open from 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM every day. You can drop in but perhaps book during the peak winter season if you’re really keen.
Top Cosy Cafés in Tromsø
Like the Swedish concept of fika, Norwegians have kaffeepause (meaning coffee break) or kaffekos (cosy coffee). Sitting in a comfy chair to indulge in hot coffee and pastries is an essential cultural experience!
Here are my favourite Tromsø cafés:
- Risø Kaffebar: Serves high-quality craft coffee with light breakfasts and lunches
- Smørtorget: Half giftshop, half bakery with comfy couches and lots of pastries
- Svermeri Kafé og Redesign: Cute, eclectic little cafe with delicious desserts
Best Lunch & Dinner Spots in Tromsø
Visiting Tromsø in winter means you’ll be craving soups, hearty stews, and filling meals. You’ll need the calories to keep warm!
These places served some of my favourite meals in Tromsø:
- Art Café Bistro: Mix of crowd-pleasing pasta and salads with local seafood bisques, herring on rye bread and reindeer
- Størhus: Delicious oven-fired pizza with Nordic craft beer
- McDonald’s: This might sound like a joke but it’s the northernmost McDonalds in the world! Plus they do sweet potato fries, so I think it’s worth a visit
Unmissable Tromsø Tours
Much of your time in Tromsø will be spent on incredible remote excursions or at sea. These were the tours we booked and ones that I’d recommend:
- Whale Watching Tour: Polar Adventures departs bright and early to be the first boat on the harbour. Spot eagles and other seabirds as well as (hopefully) whales
- Northern Lights Tour: Northern Horizon has a comprehensive six to nine-hour tour with bonfires and hot drinks
- Reindeer Sledding: Tromsø Arctic Reindeer includes a traditional Sami meal, snowshoeing, and feeding the reindeer
- Arctic Road Trip: Venture out to Kvaløya Island with Northern Soul Adventure to see more of the incredibly varied snowy landscapes
- Winter Kayaking: An absolutely beautiful experience out kayaking in the surrounding nature that’s not so touristic and you don’t need to be an expert kayaker or anything!
Where To View the Northern Lights
Northern lights tours are one of the best ways to spot the solar flares as you’ll avoid the city’s light pollution. But that doesn’t mean you can’t spot the Northern Lights from Tromsø city centre on a clear night!
Here are some of the top spots:
- Residential Areas: The further you are from light, the better
- Prestvannet Lake: Head to the ‘Aurora Viewing Bridge’
- Telegrafbukta Beach: There are a few Northern Lights viewpoints on the coastline
- Fjellheisen Cable Car: Remember, it runs until midnight!
What To Wear in Tromsø in Winter
You can’t underestimate the winter weather in Tromsø! Sub-zero temperatures can feel even colder when standing on a whale-watching cruise boat or zooming through an icy wind on a sled.
This is the gear I recommend packing for your Tromsø winter trip:
- Woollen base layer
- Warm jumper
- Ski pants or hiking trousers
- Windproof jacket
- Warm hat
- Snood
- Liner gloves
- Waterproof gloves (to wear on top)
- Double socks (wool is best!)
- Hiking boots
- Spikes for shoes
If you’ve been skiing before, you’ll already have a good idea of what to pack.
How To Get to Tromsø
Believe it or not, Tromsø Airport is the fourth-largest in Norway. There are direct flights from 44 destinations via 18 airlines!
Zurich, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki airports offer daily flights. London, Paris, Milan, Hamburg and other hub airports offer several direct flights every week.
AirportExpress offers shuttle buses from Tromsø Airport to the city centre. They depart often (usually after a flight arrives) and the journey is less than 20 minutes.
Where To Stay in Tromsø
Choosing the right accommodation can make a big difference to your Tromsø experience, whether you want to be in the heart of the city or in a quieter residential area.
If you prefer a more local and homey stay, I recommend booking an Airbnb in one of Tromsø’s residential neighbourhoods. This allows you to experience the city like a local, with easy access to grocery stores, bakeries, and scenic walking trails. Staying in a residential area also means less light pollution, which can improve your chances of spotting the Northern Lights right from your doorstep!
For those who want to stay in the city centre with easy access to restaurants, attractions, and tour departures, Scandic Ishavshotel is a fantastic option. It’s one of the best-located hotels in Tromsø, sitting right on the waterfront with stunning views of the harbour. You’ll be within walking distance of the Arctic Cathedral, the Polar Museum, and plenty of cosy cafes to warm up after a day in the snow. Plus, their breakfast buffet is highly rated – an important perk when preparing for a long day of Arctic adventures!
How Many Days to Spend in Tromsø
Book at least three days (four nights) when visiting Tromsø in the winter. The more nights you stay, the greater your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights. They often take a few clear nights to appear!
Ideally, book five nights or even longer to have time for the top winter activities in Tromsø. All excursions, from whale watching to dog-sledding, can take half a day or longer. Tromsø weather can be unpredictable in winter, so having a flexible itinerary will help if there are bad conditions.
Plan Your Dream Tromsø Winter Trip
Jetting off on a Tromsø winter adventure demands a little preparation. You don’t want to catch a flight with only a fleece in your carry-on!
But this is a destination that will give back what you put in. Book excursions early and embrace the chilly outdoors. Use this guide to plan your Tromsø itinerary in winter and who knows, you might be planning a return trip like I did.
